公开(公告)号：US10472059B2

公开(公告)日：2019-11-12

申请号：US15648650

申请日：2017-07-13

Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Inventor： Kyle Thomas Cravener ,  Amarjit Kizhakkepat ,  Ken Shundo ,  Jared Mark Paulson ,  Tyler Wayne Baldwin

IPC: B64C27/35 ,  B64C29/00 ,  F16C23/04 ,  F16C27/02 ,  F16C33/20

Abstract: A proprotor system for a tiltrotor aircraft having a helicopter flight mode and an airplane flight mode. The proprotor system includes a yoke having a plurality of blade arms with inboard pockets. A centrifugal force and shear bearing assembly is disposed in each of the inboard pockets of the yoke. Each of a plurality of proprotor blades is coupled to the yoke by one of the bearing assemblies such that each proprotor blade has a pitch change degree of freedom about a pitch change axis and a tilting degree of freedom about a focal point. Each bearing assembly includes a centrifugal force bearing coupled to the yoke, a shear bearing coupled to the yoke and an inboard beam coupled between the centrifugal force bearing and the shear bearing. Each inboard beam is coupled to a respective proprotor blade.

公开(公告)号：US20190185153A1

公开(公告)日：2019-06-20

申请号：US15846011

申请日：2017-12-18

Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Inventor： Jared Mark PAULSON ,  Tyler Wayne Baldwin ,  Kyle Thomas Cravener

IPC: B64C27/50

CPC classification number: B64C27/50 ,  B64C3/56 ,  B64C29/0033

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly for a tiltrotor aircraft comprising a rotor blade pivotally connected to a yoke with dual concentric blade bolts having a common central axis providing a pivotal axis inboard of an outboard CF bearing and the yoke tip. In use, the compact folded arrangement of the rotor blades reduces folded aircraft dimensions in response to ever increasing restricted storage space parameters.

公开(公告)号：US11415174B2

公开(公告)日：2022-08-16

申请号：US16381106

申请日：2019-04-11

Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Inventor： Tyler Wayne Baldwin ,  Kyle Thomas Cravener ,  Tyson Henry

IPC: F16H57/04 ,  F16C33/66 ,  B64C27/12 ,  F16D33/18 ,  F16H57/038

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to solid lubricant assemblies for providing over temperature protection for bearings and gears in rotorcraft systems. A solid lubricant enters a fluid state above a certain temperature and is positioned so that fluid lubricant is applied to the bearings or gears.

公开(公告)号：US11299263B2

公开(公告)日：2022-04-12

申请号：US15372072

申请日：2016-12-07

Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Inventor： Terry K. Thompson ,  Kyle Thomas Cravener

IPC: B64C27/00 ,  B64C27/57 ,  B64C11/30 ,  B64C11/34

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the tracking of one or more blades comprising: a blade tracking adjustment mechanism connected to one or more blades of an aircraft; a blade tracking measurement system that measures the tracking of the one or more blades; and a computer that receives an output from the blade tracking measurement system with tracking information for each of the one or more blades; wherein the computer outputs instructions for the blade tracking adjustment mechanism to change a pitch of one or more of the blades to correct blade tracking.

公开(公告)号：US11174912B2

公开(公告)日：2021-11-16

申请号：US16176585

申请日：2018-10-31

Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Inventor： Tyler Wayne Baldwin ,  Kyle Thomas Cravener

IPC: F16F1/40 ,  F16F3/12 ,  B64C27/14 ,  G06F30/17 ,  B64C29/00

Abstract: The present invention includes a torsion spring including a middle plate having a first attachment point displaced from the geometric center of the middle plate; a first elastomeric element secured to a first side of the middle plate and having an opening coincident with the first attachment point of the middle plate; a second elastomeric element secured to a second side of the middle plate and having an opening coincident with the first attachment point of the middle plate; a first outer plate secured to the first elastomeric element and having an opening coincident with the first attachment point of the middle plate; and a second outer plate secured to the second elastomeric element, having an opening coincident with the attachment point of the middle plate.

公开(公告)号：US10960970B2

公开(公告)日：2021-03-30

申请号：US16184436

申请日：2018-11-08

Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Inventor： Whitney Foskey ,  Kyle Thomas Cravener

IPC: B64C11/32 ,  B64C11/20

Abstract: An inboard beam includes a body having an upper flange and a lower flange coupled thereto. The upper flange includes a first upper inboard aperture and an upper outboard aperture formed therein. The lower flange includes a first lower inboard aperture and a lower outboard aperture formed therein. An upper beam fitting is coupled to the upper flange and lower beam fitting is coupled to the lower flange. The upper beam fitting includes a first upper inboard post. The upper beam fitting includes an upper outboard post extending parallel to the inboard post. The lower beam fitting includes a first lower inboard post. The lower beam fitting includes a lower outboard post extending parallel to the lower inboard post.

公开(公告)号：US10773793B2

公开(公告)日：2020-09-15

申请号：US16055121

申请日：2018-08-05

Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Inventor： Kyle Thomas Cravener ,  Tyler Wayne Baldwin ,  Jared Mark Paulson

IPC: B64C11/28 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64C27/50

Abstract: A rotor blade locking assembly for locking a rotor blade in a deployed position. The rotor blade locking assembly comprises a locking mechanism configured to be coupled to a blade grip. The locking mechanism comprises a latch and an actuator configured to cause the latch to move between an unlocked position and a locked position. The assembly comprises a locking plate configured to be coupled to the rotor blade. The locking plate comprises a bearing surface configured to bear against a contact surface of the latch, when the latch is in the locked position.

公开(公告)号：US10703469B2

公开(公告)日：2020-07-07

申请号：US15845876

申请日：2017-12-18

Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Inventor： Jared Mark Paulson ,  Tyler Wayne Baldwin ,  Kyle Thomas Cravener

IPC: B64C27/50 ,  B64C29/00 ,  B64C27/52 ,  B64C27/48

Abstract: A folding yoke comprising a center yoke pivotally connected to separate foldable flexible yoke arms permits rotor blade fold about a single through bolt connection inboard of a set of bearings. In use, the compact folded arrangement of the rotor blades reduces folded aircraft dimensions in response to ever increasing restricted storage space parameters.

公开(公告)号：US10569869B2

公开(公告)日：2020-02-25

申请号：US15845810

申请日：2017-12-18

Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Inventor： Jared Mark Paulson ,  Tyler Wayne Baldwin ,  Kyle Thomas Cravener

IPC: F04F5/16 ,  F04F5/46 ,  F04D17/16 ,  F04D25/06 ,  F04D25/08 ,  F04D25/16 ,  F04D29/42 ,  F04D29/66 ,  F01D11/00 ,  F01D5/08 ,  F01D5/06 ,  F01D25/12 ,  F02C3/04 ,  F16J15/16 ,  F16J15/447 ,  B64C27/50 ,  B64C3/56 ,  B64C27/48 ,  B64C29/00

Abstract: A folding yoke comprising a bilateral center yoke pivotally connected to separate foldable yoke arms permits rotor blade fold about a single through bolt connection inboard of a set of bearings. In use, the compact folded arrangement of the rotor blades reduces folded aircraft dimensions in response to ever increasing restricted storage space parameters.

公开(公告)号：US20190233095A1

公开(公告)日：2019-08-01

申请号：US15881980

申请日：2018-01-29

Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Inventor： Tyler Wayne Baldwin ,  Kyle Thomas Cravener

IPC: B64C27/33

Abstract: A hybrid yoke including a center and yoke arms connected to flexure arms. An inboard centrifugal force bearing assembly connects to the yoke arm and a grip and an outboard shear bearing assembly connects to the flexure arm and the grip. In use, the center and yoke arms carry the centrifugal force at a position inboard of the flexure arm.